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Monday, March 11, 2013

Ume blossoms viewing at Osaka Castle Park

"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter."

- Rachel Carson -

(Click on the photo to enlarge.)

Ume blossoms season has come! 梅 Ume, or Japanese apricot, is one of the earliest fragrant bloomers to harbinger spring. They start flowering when air is still cold one by one. A few of modest but elegant flowers braving the cold symbolize strength, resilience, perseverance, and purity.

bursting blooms on March 6th

While I was involved in grand parenting since last early December, season has changed. When the winter chill suddenly turned to early spring warmth last week, my granddaughter returned to her parents on her mother’s leaving hospital. She's gone with winter! She will be an elder sister in March or early April. As for myself, while I’m so relieved and happy for my son's family, I feel listless with a void in my heart. To such a person, nature has a way, so I went to view Ume blossoms which burst into bloom because of April-like warmth of the last week.

Walking through the grove in the morning, I was very relaxed. Ume blossoms of about 100 varieties in various colors and greeting chirps of lovely birds would have brought theraputic effects on my body and mind.

If you plan to go, I highly recommend to start your day early. At 11:00 a.m. on weekday when I left the park, the ume grove was already bustling with people.

pink

pale pink

white

deep pink

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red

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weeping type

White-eye

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Trunks are as attractive as flowers.

This gnarled trunk look swimming freely in the air.

Osaka Castle was built during 1583-1597 by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The current main tower is a restoration work completed in 1997 which maintains its Edo-era splendor. The castle is made of concrete different from original wooden structure and elevator is installed so that the interior can work as a modern and functioning museum.

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On the way to the nearest station, JR Kansai Loop Line, Osaka-jo Koen

Today is the second anniversary of 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami. As I read and hear the still ongoing pains and struggles of the victims, my heart aches and I think how unfair the life is. No matter what happens, I think I'll keep remembering the blooms of ume after the harsh winter.

By the looks of the collage painting, your husband’s aunt was an artistic woman who loved the blossoms as much as you do. There is both peace and harshness to be found in nature. It is hard to believe that two years have passed since the earthquake and tsunami. There is so much suffering but also recovery and rebirth. And soon you will have a new grandchild!

Gorgeous photos - as ever. The season's refrain seems to be a little out of kilter here at the moment with winter raising it's grey, unforgiving face again this week. Enjoy the spring and the children.

You know, Yoko, I think it is symbolic to talk of blooms on this anniversary. My heart ached when I was watching a documentary on safety measures in your country, undertaken after that event. How kindergartens in vulnerable regions are practising evacuation with kids wearing soft yellow helmets to protect their little heads. Thank you for splendid views of the triumph of nature!

Dear Yoko, Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous! The ones with the "white eye" bird are priceless! I could imagine the little bird playing on the tree, looking for some flowers!Im glad spring has begun in Japen! I am sure beautiful pictures will be captured by Yoko's lenses!Cheers from BrazilMárcia

To musiał być cudowny spacer wśród kwitnąch drzew i nie dziwię sie, że się zrelaksowałaś. Dzisiaj była 2 rocznica trzęsienia ziemi i to na pewno było smutną rocznicą. Ty się jednak ciesz wnuczkami, tą którą masz i tą, którą będziesz miała. Pozdrawiam.It must have been a wonderful walk among kwitnąch trees and I am not surprised that it was easy. Today was a 2 anniversary of the earthquake, and it certainly was a sad anniversary. However you enjoy your grandchildren, that you have and the one you'll have. Yours.

You are such a fantastic photographer. You make these blossoms and trees and temple come alive in my mind. The colors are superb and your pictures draw such nice sharp lines. They are a pleasure to look at. Spring is wonderful as new life rises from the old.

Thank you for providing the link to the tsunami pictures. They are so sad. It was such a traumatic and tragic event. And while tremendous strides have been made in some areas, there still remains a lot of work to be done - which is not surprising considering the vast amount of damage.

I feel for you having to give up your granddaughter. Obviously, there is a strong bond between you - but that will last a lifetime as you have the opportunity to see her grow and hopefully model the lessons you taught and exemplified. Love won't be broken by distance.

Thank you for your very kind comment on Creative Confections. I think you have an appreciation for my poetry that I've not found elsewhere! I'm very appreciative.

Best wishes, as always, to you and your family! I am pleased and proud to be your friend!

Dear Yoko, what a wonderful and heartwarming post. I'm really envy you about the fantastic parks you have in Japan. I thinks there no other nation with such a "park culture" like the Japanese one. There must be hundreds, nay tousands of ume trees in this Osaka park.

You really managed to capture the springtime mood in your photos - I love every single one of them!

Nature is a wonderful healer and one can see exactly how through your beautiful post. These ume blossoms are beautiful and a perfect way to pay tribute to the earthquake victims and their families. Thanks for sharing the beauty Yoko, all your fabulous pictures are soothing for the mind, body and soul.

You were so clever Yoko, to fill the void the lovely little girl left with something equally beautiful and wondrous! And as sure as spring comes after winter and morning after dawn, she will be back too - as a big sister - oh, even so much better! :-)As always, your marvelous photos of such splendid nature touched my heart and spirit!

Lovely post of the seasonal blossoms, Yoko...I especially liked your husband's aunt's collage painting of the Ume blossoms! Although happenings in the world can be harsh and hurtful, there are so many things to be thankful for...it's best to be grateful for them.

Dear Yoko - I like the way you have linked in the passing season with the renewal of the blossom and the arrival of your next grandchild this month or next. I am sure that you must miss your little granddaughter, she looked such a sweet child on the photos with a ready little smile.Your blossom photos are lovely, ours is not out yet, but it will be soon.

It's sad to think about the tsunami and the struggle to go on with life. Flowers like you posted is a comfort and a promise, that after winter, spring come with beautiful new things like the apricot flower. How beautiful and precious the collage of your husband's late aunt is!

Hi Yoko, these photos of the ume blossoms are truly stunning. I love how the white-eyed bird toppled over to feed on the nectar. Your husband's aunt did a delightful papermache collage of this very much cherished flower.

Such beautiful photos! And yes, nature is very healing for those with ana che in their hearts.What a delightful bird! I've never seen one like that.We anticipate spring, but it has not arrived.Cheers from Cottage Country, Ontario, Canada!

My beloved friend YokoSorry I'm late to visit you, but I had children and grandaughter a week.What wonderful photos of 'Spring!Glad everything is going well for your kids!Please, Don't be sad.Soon cometh and another baby ...Indeed our nature makes me happy!The table's aunt, is amazing! CONGRATULATIONS!I wish the good to the baby arrives, I send you a big hug and kisses and God gives consolation to earthquake victims.

If hardships are those to fortify our spirit, maybe it is the same with nations? What I know is that there's a lesson to learn in everything happens to us and also no lesson come to us unless we're prepared to learn it. Though sometimes it comes with great loss which go beyond our understanding, each new lesson can either push us forward, or pull us behind. No matter the course, evolution or involution, it's always a decision. Judging by the way the Japanese people regrouped and rebuilt after the terrible earthquake followed by the tsunami shows me you took the decision to move forward. And that is a great example for all of us. It's not coincidental that Ume and Sakura blossom are the symbol of your nation, my dear friend Yoko!

Fu-u leaving back home with her parents must be hard, but I'm sure there'll be plenty of time to spend with her again, enjoying both her and the new baby to come into your family. I look forward reading about it in the near future!

The collage painting is very beautiful, just as delicate and real as the natural Ume blossom is. Thank you for sharing I enjoyed it very much!

Well, you closed comments for your Equinox post, so I'll scoot down here and make a couple of comments anyway! :)

Such beauty that blesses your area in the spring! A bounty of joyful and colorful blossoms. Cherry trees are my favorite, I think, and when in bloom cover the land with love.

And now I can tell my friends that I know someone who has a cherry tree named after her! That is very cool!

I find it rather interesting that yesterday we went to lunch with our friend Tsurumi and her husband. She did speak a little big of Japanese...explaining the sounds of certain English letters in Japanese.

Best wishes to you and I thank you very much for your kind comment on Creative Confections.

Dear Yoko,It is always a pleasure to visit your blog and admire the beautiful pictures. With us is the way some snow! I look forward to the spring.Today I have a question for you ...Do you know the poem "Desiderata" by Max Ehrmann? It's beautiful. I gather from various countries of the poem, but can not I find a Japanese version. One is known to you?

Thank you, Carola, for the comment. I didn’t know either the author or the poem. I read it on the Net and it reminded me of “If” by Rudyard Kipling. I found the Japanese book which contains the poem and the title was 幸せヘの切なる願い 36の聖なる希望のことば. I’ll visit you soon when I have time as I’m in the middle of something now.

Welcome to my Blog

Welcome to my blog, and my world! I’m a Japanese, born and raised in Kobe, a cosmopolitan port city, and now living in Nara, the cradle of Japanese culture. I'm happy to share things and places I love with you and exchange ideas and thoughts. Thank you for stopping by and taking time.

Hakuba Village, Nagano

Oide Suspension Bridge

Rainbows on earth

Lilies at Maishima Island

Winter pond reflection

Saho River, Nara

the sea of Kobe westward

Danny's Christmas tree

Outward from the Home Planet

The Earth reminded us of a Christmas tree ornament hanging in the blackness of space. As we got farther and farther away it diminished in size. Finally it shrank to the size of a marble, the most beautiful marble you can imagine. That beautiful, warm, living object looked so fragile, so delicate, that if you touched it with a finger it would crumble and fall apart. Seeing this has to change a man, has to make a man appreciate the creation of God and the love of God.
- James Irwin -

The Blue Marble via Wikimedia

from my son's wedding album

The Little Church

If you want your dream to be
Build it slow and surely.
Small beginnings, greater ends.
Heartfelt work grows purely.

If you want to live life free,
Take your time, go slowly.
Do few things, but do them well.
Simple joys are holy.

Isui-en Garden

About Me

I am a Japanese, non-native speaker of English, who likes to think about things and express them in English. I named my handle name "Stardust." I'm consisted of particles, like a stardust, drifting in space, hoping to shine with her spirit burning bright someday. Still, such particles feel and think on this planet -- what a mystery, what a wonder, what a blessing!
My icon lotus flower symbolizes "spiritual growth from the muddy darkness to the light of the sun".